As moms get their kids ready to go back to school, thoughts naturally lead to “adult school” (i.e., work). If you’ve stepped away from the workforce for a while in order to raise kids, the idea of on-ramping can be a bit, well, overwhelming. But if you’re ready to return to the workplace and dust off your old career (or launch a new one), there are some things you need to do to prepare for the transition.

Here are five ways for moms to show they’re ready to get back to work:

1. Consider your options.

There has never been a better time for you to think about what you’d really like to do career-wise than when you’re getting ready to get back to work. Just because you were an accountant B.C. (Before Children) does not mean that you have to be one now as you reenter the workforce.

Take some time to consider what you’d really like to do, and more importantly, how much time you have to devote to a job. Most likely, you’ll need to find a flexible job that fits in with your life—and your family’s, too.

2. Get social…professionally.

Sure, you’ve been staying social by updating your Facebook profile with pics of your adorable kids. But what about staying social professionally? If you haven’t already done so, you should have a LinkedIn page that showcases all of your past workplace achievements and accomplishments. Why?

The vast majority of recruiters peruse LinkedIn looking for potential job candidates. Be sure to fill out all aspects of your profile, such as having a professional photo, creating a well-written summary, and even writing a post to showcase your expertise in your career field.

3. Revise your resume.

If it’s been some time since you’ve been gainfully employed, chances are your resume could use a little tweaking. Look online to get an idea of what the current formats are so yours won’t stand out as outdated in a job application.

Also make sure to update all the info on your resume, but don’t let your resume go past one page. And if you’re worried about an employment gap caused by being a stay-at-home mom, there are some creative ways to cover it up!

4. Find a mentor.

Let’s say that you had a ho-hum job before you became a mom, and frankly, you’re not too eager to return to that position. If you’ve decided that your interests lean more towards baking rather than banking, it’s a good idea to find a mentor who can help guide you in your career change.

Do some digging into your desired career field to find leaders who can help craft the career that you’re after, and then nose through your networks to see which connections you have in common. That way, you can take the right steps towards a career that you’ll love.

5. Set yourself up for success.

If you’re looking to find a flexible job once the kiddos are back in class, then you’ll need to make space in your life for your new job—literally. Look through your house to see what area would make for an appropriate home office. You can use a spare room, or even a converted closet, attic, or garage space. The point is to have a space that is for your future flexible job—and for that only.

After all, you don’t want your work space to be competing with your dinner prep space! Once you’ve decided on your home office location, then it’s time to set it up with a good computer, the fastest Internet connection you can get, and other programs and office equipment you’ll need for your new gig. Then, you can start your job search—and set yourself up for success!

Moms, if you’re ready to go back to work, these five simple steps can help you to send the kids back to school—and also help you get back to work with a job you’ll love.

Readers, are you planning to get back to work? What steps are you taking to ensure job search success? Let us know in the comments below!